Phenomenological Psychiatry, Daseinsanalyse and American Existential Analysis: A “Progress” Report*

The present Report proposes to bring up to date the learned survey published three years ago by Dr. Henri F. Ellenberger in the lucid third chapter of Existence, issued by Basic Books under the editorship of Dr. Rollo May, Ernest Angel and Dr. Ellenberger.1

I shall state my central findings at once:

Despite the most persistent and strenuous efforts for a good number of years now, I have not been able to discover the senses in which phenomenological psychiatry, Daseinsanalyse and existential philosophy are claimed to provide a new foundation for clinical psychiatry and dynamic psychotherapy. Both in print2 and in prolonged colloquies with recognized leaders of the variant versions of the newer psychiatries in the United States,3 I have asked for clarification of the claims and procedures of the newer viewpoints. I am obliged to report the failure of a mission.

I see now that it is more than unfair—it is irrelevant—to insist that the newer viewpoints conform to the established canons of rational discourse and scientific procedure. As contemporary logicians might say, the vast majority of existentialist utterances do not actually convey cognitive import, although they so frequently affect to be revelatory in nature; they are, rather, injunctive, performative, emotive appeals intended to express primary feelings and induce empathic communion and participation. Indeed, many representatives of the newer viewpoints glory in their irrationality and proclaim their